A perpetual challenge is to pack light for a cruise vacation, becoming even harder as most cruise lines now present a greater mix of formal, informal and casual evenings.

What is the exact meaning of “resort casual”? How “formal” is formal dresses? Do you have to carry a tuxedo and an evening gown on the cruise? Can you wear shorts, bathing suits and t-shirts anyplace onboard and dine?

President of CruiseCompete.com, Bob Levinstein said “Proper dining attire varies from ship-to-ship, depending on its itinerary and the voyage’s length.” A typical week long cruise has 1-2 formal nights. To inform their guests on the clothes worn in the evening, all major cruise ships inform daily.

Ships have choices to meet many lifestyles and tastes in the day, from poolside snack bars to casual buffets to traditional, sit-down meals.

Dress codes and suggestions of the most popular cruise lines are summarized below:

Carnival Cruises

The dining room needs formal dress or resort wear which includes a tuxedo, suit and tie, or sport coat, tie and slacks and cocktail dresses, evening gowns and pantsuits for women. Sport shirts and slacks, skirts, dresses and pantsuits comprise casual resort wear. During dinner in the dining venue, shorts, t-shirts and bathing clothes are attire are unacceptable, where children have similar dress requirements. The Lido restaurants open nightly except the last evening of the cruise for guests preferring casuals to formals.

Princess Cruises

You should dress for a fine restaurant at home on “smart casual” dining evenings with pants and open-neck shirts for men, and skirts/dresses, slacks and sweaters for ladies. Wear shoes always but not t-shirts, halter top, jeans, and shorts in dining room. For men attending formal evenings in the dining room, wear a tuxedo, slacks with dinner jacket, or suit. Women should wear cocktail dresses and evening gowns.

Holland America

”Casual” evenings require comfortable relaxed clothing with jackets and optional ties for men, and dresses or pantsuits for women. The dining room, Lido restaurant, public areas and the Pinnacle Grill forbid tank tops, shorts, t-shirts and swimsuits in the evening. Dining at the terrace Grill near the pool allows swimwear. I suggest for formal evenings, suits and tuxedos for men (jackets and ties are welcome) and cocktail dresses and gowns for women.

Crystal Cruises

All public areas after 6p.m enforce the Crystal dress code. Formal evenings require dresses and gowns of stylish length for ladies and a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit and tie for gentlemen. Most nights onboard allow informal clothes.

Ladies can wear pantsuits, cocktail dresses or evening dresses. Men should wear sport coats and slacks, with ties (optional). On days in port and the time of departure, casual nights are based. More relaxed attire is allowed on casual evenings, including casual dresses and pantsuits for women, sport shirts and slacks for men. Jackets and ties are unnecessary.

Celebrity Cruises

Proper clothes are a part of the total dining experience irrespective of an intimate table for two or an elaborate table for many.

A tuxedo, dinner or dark suit for men and evening gown or fancy dress for women is needed for formal nights. A jacket and tie with slacks for guys and informal dress or pants and blouse for ladies comprise informal night attire. On casual nights, gentlemen can wear a sport shirt and slacks, while ladies a pantsuit or sporty outfit. Nightly, specialty restaurant dining requires a jacket and tie for men and dress or pants and blouse for women. Before 6p.m the dining venue, allows jeans, shorts and casual daywear.